Duke learned earlier this week that if Mason Plumlee isn’t dominating, if Seth Curry’s shots aren’t falling or Quinn Cook isn’t performing to the elevated level he has reached this season, then Tyler Thornton is capable of coming to the rescue.

Especially if he’s mad.

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski called Thornton “the hero of the game for us” after the Blue Devils disposed of rival North Carolina three nights ago.

“He would not let us lose,” Krzyzewski said, referring to the junior guard, who owned a scoring average of 3.3 points per game prior to facing the Tar Heels.

Thornton hit three 3-pointers — he had been 2-for-14 from beyond the arc in the previous eight games — and contributed nine points off the bench during Wednesday night’s victory, in what became his highest scoring output since Jan. 2.

His last two 3s were supplied during Duke’s 16-5 run that transformed a 38-31 deficit into a 47-43 lead and put the Blue Devils ahead to stay.

Even more pleasing to Krzyzewski was the fierceness with which Thornton played, the competitive fire that met the intensity of the rivalry game against North Carolina.

“I like him because he can get angry,” Krzyzewski said. “I think anger is an emotion that gets you passed being tired and gets you past a lot of things. If anger destroys something bad, it’s good.”

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Thornton’s toughness was on display in the second half when, with Plumlee’s fouls becoming an issue, Duke went with a four-guard lineup to help counteract North Carolina’s downsized look.

There were moments when he jostled with the Tar Heels’ 6-9 James Michael McAdoo in the post and battled 6-5 P.J. Hairston for rebounds.

“They’re a big team, big at every position,” Thornton said. “It’s heart and will to win.”

Tip-off

Who: No. 2 Duke (22-2, 9-2) at Maryland (17-7, 5-6)

When: 6 tonight (ESPN)

Where: Comcast Center, College Park, Md.

Series: Duke leads 113-61. The Blue Devils have won six straight in the series and 12 of the last 13 meetings.

Tip-in: Duke will be playing its 201st game in a row as a Top 10-ranked team.